The Crane: An Africa-China Podcast

The Crane: Episode #17: Belt and Road Initiative at 10

In response to Bolivia’s recent agreement with Russian state nuclear firm Rosatom and China's Citic Guoan Group to develop its largely untapped resources of lithium – a resource of increasing importance due to its use in rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles – US Senator Marco Rubio tweeted: “Whether it’s through China’s BRI, debt-trap policy, or other false promises, nations in our region must remain vigilant of the threat of doing business with Beijing.”
 
Despite a range of policy makers and researcher debunking Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) activities as ‘debt-trapping’ – even by World Bank researches who descibed BRI as ‘largely beneficial’ – Western and allied groups have continually stocked fears and misunderstandings of what the BRI is and the role it is playing in human development. 
Yet, in the face of this, China continues to prioritize engagement with developing nations. So what’s the BRI and what are some of its implications for Africa? Amadeus and Mika discuss.
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The Crane: An Africa-China Podcast is a bi-monthly podcast giving you a fresh look at the news, events, and debates around China-Africa relations from the perspective of two young(ish) Africans.
You can listen to all episodes of The Crane for free anywhere you get podcasts.
Brought to you by the Dongsheng Collective. Follow us @DongshengNews on Twitter, Instagram, Telegram & TikTok. Or visit www.dongshengnews.org.
The bumper music uses the song "Live It" by Ketsa, under a single track perpetual license that gives the licensee the perpetual right to use the track in commercial projects worldwide.
 #TheCranePodcast #ChinaAfrica #Dongsheng

The Crane: Episode #16 - Wenhua Zongheng & Building Platforms for International Debate

The Crane: Episode #16 - Wenhua Zongheng & Building Platforms for International Debate
Tings Chak joins us to discuss Wenhua Zongheng (文化纵横), a leading journal of contemporary political and cultural thought in China. 
 
Founded in 2008, the journal publishes issues every two months, featuring articles by a wide array of intellectuals across the country and building a platform for discussion of different ideological positions and values in China’s intellectual community. 
 
The publication is an important reference for debates and developments in Chinese thought, on matters ranging from China’s ancient history and traditional culture to its current socialist practices and innovations, from the important cultural trends in contemporary Chinese social life to Chinese views and analyses of the world today. 
 
Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research and Dongsheng have partnered with Wenhua Zongheng to publish an international edition of the journal, releasing four issues per year featuring a selection of articles that hold particular relevance for the Global South. For more, visit https://thetricontinental.org/wenhua-zongheng/. 
 
Tings Chak 翟庭君 is an internationalist activist and artist, trained in architecture. After emerging from migrant justice movements in Toronto, Canada, she has been working with diverse working-class movements across the Global South. Chak is the co-founder of the Dongsheng collective. She leads the Art Department of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. Her current research focuses on the art of national liberation struggles, and the horizons that gives for the movements of today.
 
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The Crane: An Africa-China Podcast is a bi-monthly podcast giving you a fresh look at the news, events, and debates around China-Africa relations from the perspective of two young(ish) Africans.
You can listen to all episodes of The Crane for free anywhere you get podcasts.
Brought to you by the Dongsheng Collective. Follow us @DongshengNews on Twitter, Instagram, Telegram & TikTok. Or visit www.dongshengnews.org.
The bumper music uses the song "Live It" by Ketsa, under a single track perpetual license that gives the licensee the perpetual right to use the track in commercial projects worldwide.
 #TheCranePodcast #ChinaAfrica #Dongsheng

The Crane: Episode #15 - BRICS Summit 2023 and Regional Relations at an Interregnum

Prof David Monyae joins us to discuss what he describes as a new geopolitical interregnum, where – drawing from Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci – he contends that the ‘old’ is dying, while the ‘new’ multipolar world order is not yet born.  
 
From growing international platforms to discuss issues of public interest, such as the Lanting Forum, to the recent clamor for BRICS membership, we are seeing new qualitative shifts in international relations and new regionalist vehicles and processes of the Global South.
 
Prof. Monyae is an Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Johannesburg, and Co-Director of the UJ Confucius Institute and the Centre for Africa-China Studies. Prof Monyae is an international relations and foreign policy expert, with a PhD in International Relations from the University of Witwatersrand. 
He previously served as Section Manager: International Relations Policy Analysis at the South African Parliament, providing strategic management, parliamentary foreign policy formulation, and monitoring and analysis services. He has published widely and is a respected political analyst, featuring in the national and international media.
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The Crane: An Africa-China Podcast is a bi-monthly podcast giving you a fresh look at the news, events, and debates around China-Africa relations from the perspective of two young(ish) Africans.
 
You can listen to all episodes of The Crane for free anywhere you get podcasts.
 
Brought to you by the Dongsheng Collective. Follow us @DongshengNews on Twitter, Instagram, Telegram & TikTok. Or visit www.dongshengnews.org.
 
The bumper music uses the song "Live It" by Ketsa, under a single track perpetual license that gives the licensee the perpetual right to use the track in commercial projects worldwide.
 
 #TheCranePodcast #ChinaAfrica #Dongsheng

The Crane: Episode #14 - The African Union At 60 & Its Growing Relationship With China with Development Reimagined

In the lead up to Africa Liberation Day on May 25, we are joined by Etsehiwot Negash Kebret and Patrick Anam from Development Reimagined to discuss the African Union – whose predecessor was formed on this date in 1963 – and its growing relationship with China.
 
Patrick is International Trade Policy and Trade Law Expert based in Nairobi, Kenya. He focuses on international trade law, trade policy, and regional integration. He is currently engaged with Development Reimagined as a Senior Trade Analyst and was the lead author of Development Reimagined’s recent report, From China-Africa to Africa-China: A BluePrint for a Green and Inclusive Continent-Wide Strategy Towards China.
 
Etsehiwot is a Development Finance Advisor at Development Reimagined focusing on Special Drawing Rights, Multilateral Bank Reform, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and African debt (see, Can a Borrower's Club Lead to Cheaper, Sustainable Debt?). Her writing and contribution can be found in the Diplomat, CSIS Africa, China Dialogue, and Africa Business.
 
The Crane: An Africa-China Podcast is a bi-monthly podcast giving you a fresh look at the news, events, and debates around China-Africa relations from the perspective of two young(ish) Africans.
You can listen to all episodes of The Crane for free anywhere you get podcasts.
Brought to you by the Dongsheng Collective. Follow us @DongshengNews on Twitter, Instagram, Telegram & TikTok. Or visit www.dongshengnews.org.
The bumper music uses the song "Live It" by Ketsa, under a single track perpetual license that gives the licensee the perpetual right to use the track in commercial projects worldwide.
 #TheCranePodcast #ChinaAfrica #Dongsheng 

The Crane: Episode #13 - China Pivots To African Union On 60th Anniversary? Plus Preview of Upcoming Episodes

In this episode, we look at China’s increased engagement with the African Union, as the latter celebrates its 60th anniversary, we appreciate the architectural beauty of the new AU HQ (built by China) and give you a preview of what we’ll cover in upcoming episodes. 
 
The Crane: An Africa-China Podcast is a bi-monthly podcast giving you a fresh look at the news, events, and debates around China-Africa relations from the perspective of two young(ish) Africans.
You can listen to all episodes of The Crane for free anywhere you get podcasts.
 
Brought to you by the Dongsheng Collective. Follow us @DongshengNews on Twitter, Instagram, Telegram & TikTok. Or visit www.dongshengnews.org.
 
The bumper music uses the song "Live It" by Ketsa, under a single track perpetual license that gives the licensee the perpetual right to use the track in commercial projects worldwide.
 
 #TheCranePodcast #ChinaAfrica #Dongsheng 

The Crane: Episode #12 - Country Focus: Zambia - Debt Crisis, Diplomacy and the US Lithium “Kafwafwa” with Dr Grieve Chelwa

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Grieve Chelwa to look at the Zambian debt crisis, China’s relationship with Zambia, US Sec. Treasury Janet Yellen’s visit to Lusaka, and the kafwafwa caused by the US in the DRC-Zambia agreement on developing renewable energy resources. 
 
Dr. Grieve Chelwa is a Zambian economist with broad research interests mainly in the area of African Economic Development. Grieve currently serves as director of research at the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at the New School and also serves as coordinator of the Collective on African Political Economy (CAPE) which is housed by Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. 
 
For more general information:
‘China blamed for Zambia’s debt, but the West’s banks and agencies enabled it’ by Grieve Chelwa, 18 November 2020
‘IMF Deal: Cry, My Beloved Zambia’ by Grieve Chelwa’,  8 September 2022
 
The Crane: An Africa-China Podcast is a bi-monthly podcast giving you a fresh look at the news, events, and debates around China-Africa relations from the perspective of two young(ish) Africans.
You can listen to all episodes of The Crane for free anywhere you get podcasts.
Brought to you by the Dongsheng Collective. Follow us @DongshengNews on Twitter, Instagram, Telegram & TikTok. Or visit www.dongshengnews.org.
The bumper music uses the song "Live It" by Ketsa, under a single track perpetual license that gives the licensee the perpetual right to use the track in commercial projects worldwide.
 
 #TheCranePodcast #ChinaAfrica #Dongsheng

The Crane: Episode #11 - New Chinese FM Heads To Africa & What this Tells Us about Foreign Government Priorities in Africa

Welcome, we start 2023 by analyzing the new Chinese Foreign Minister Qing Gang’s visit to Africa. Who is he? Which countries did he visit and why? And how did the world react to this?  
 
For more general information:
‘Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s 5-nation African tour a show of solidarity, strategic importance, analysts say’ by Jevans Nyabiage, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3206824/chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gangs-five-nation-african-tour-show-solidarity-strategic-importance 
‘Africa should not be arena for international competition, says Chinese foreign minister’ by Dawit Endeshaw, https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/africa-should-not-be-arena-international-competition-says-chinese-foreign-2023-01-11/ 
 
The Crane: An Africa-China Podcast is a bi-monthly podcast giving you a fresh look at the news, events, and debates around China-Africa relations from the perspective of two young(ish) Africans.
 
You can listen to all episodes of The Crane for free anywhere you get podcasts.
 
Brought to you by the Dongsheng Collective. Follow us @DongshengNews on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram & TikTok. Or visit www.dongshengnews.org.
 
The bumper music uses the song "Live It" by Ketsa, under a single track perpetual license that gives the licensee the perpetual right to use the track in commercial projects worldwide.
 
 #TheCranePodcast #ChinaAfrica #Dongsheng 

The Crane: Episode #10 - 2022 Final Episode: Why Are We Doing This?

Complements of the season! In this episode, we talk about who we are and why we started our Africa-China podcast as well as what you can expect from us in 2023! 
 
The Crane: An Africa-China Podcast is a bi-monthly podcast giving you a fresh look at the news, events, and debates around China-Africa relations from the perspective of two young(ish) Africans.
You can listen to all episodes of The Crane for free anywhere you get podcasts.
Brought to you by the Dongsheng Collective. Follow us @DongshengNews on Twitter, Instagram, Telegram & TikTok. Or visit www.dongshengnews.org.
The bumper music uses the song "Live It" by Ketsa, under a single track perpetual license that gives the licensee the perpetual right to use the track in commercial projects worldwide.
 #TheCranePodcast #ChinaAfrica #Dongsheng 

The Crane: Episode #9 - China’s True Role in Climate Change & Africa’s Struggle to Go Green

With COP27 on the news we look at climate change, China’s true role in it, building an ecological civilization, honoring climate adaptation financing in Africa, and why our continent will not join the ‘green energy’ transition anytime soon.  
For more on some of the topics discussed check out:
The Global Carbon Project by CDIAC, 14 November 2016.
China’s pledge to help Africa overcome climate change lays ground for green investment boom by SCMP, 6 November 2022.
The State of Climate Finance in Africa:
Climate Finance Needs of African Countries by Climate Policy Initiative, June 2022.
Quantifying national responsibility for climate breakdown by Jason Hickel, September 2020.
Only One Earth by Tricontinental: Institute of Social Research, 2 June 2021.
 
The Crane: An Africa-China Podcast is a bi-monthly podcast giving you a fresh look at the news, events, and debates around China-Africa relations from the perspective of two young(ish) Africans.
You can listen to all episodes of The Crane for free anywhere you get podcasts.
Brought to you by the Dongsheng Collective. Follow us @DongshengNews on Twitter, Instagram, Telegram & TikTok. Or visit www.dongshengnews.org.
The bumper music uses the song "Live It" by Ketsa, under a single track perpetual license that gives the licensee the perpetual right to use the track in commercial projects worldwide.
 #TheCranePodcast #ChinaAfrica #Dongsheng 

Episode #8 - The Crane: Episode #8 - Afronauts, the Scramble for Space, & China

In this episode, we talk about some of the ‘Afronauts’ who dreamt of reaching the moon before the US & Soviet Union, the new Global North scramble for extraplanetary resources, and what practical steps African nations are taking around space cooperation projects with China. 
For more on some of the topics discussed check out:
The Zambian “Afronaut” Who Wanted to Join the Space Race by The New Yorker, 11 March 2017.
China aims to lift Africa’s space ambitions in drive to beat US domination by SCMP, 8 September 2022.
China Selects Kenya for Special Mission in Space by Kenyans.co.ke, 29 September 2022.
 
The Crane: An Africa-China Podcast is a bi-monthly podcast giving you a fresh look at the news, events, and debates around China-Africa relations from the perspective of two young(ish) Africans.
You can listen to all episodes of The Crane for free anywhere you get podcasts.
Brought to you by the Dongsheng Collective. Follow us @DongshengNews on Twitter, Instagram, Telegram & TikTok. Or visit www.dongshengnews.org.
The bumper music uses the song "Live It" by Ketsa, under a single track perpetual license that gives the licensee the perpetual right to use the track in commercial projects worldwide.
 #TheCranePodcast #ChinaAfrica #Dongsheng